In the spring of 1868, he accompanied a party of Ute Indians to Washington.

He was then failing fast and consulted a number of leading physicians and surgeons.

His disease was aneurism of the aorta which progressed fast.
When his end was nigh, his wife suddenly died, leaving seven children, the youngest only a few weeks old.

His affliction had a very depressing effect on Carson, who expired May 23, 1868..